What are the symptoms of herpes?

Young man with cold soreThere are two types of herpes: HSV-1, and HSV-2.

HSV-1 (usually transmitted by touching, kissing, and oral sex) may cause no symptoms, or cold sores and/or fever blisters on the lips. It can also cause sores around the teeth and gums.

HSV-2 (almost always spread by sexual contact) causes genital herpes with painful lesions around the penis and anus in guys, and the vulva and cervix in girls.